Flat Rock Playhouse reschedules 'Songs My Mother Taught Me'

From staff reports

Published: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 25, 2013 at 1:05 p.m.

Flat Rock Playhouse will reschedule "Songs My Mother Taught Me" with Lorna Luft, which was scheduled to play May 8-26 at the Playhouse Mainstage, due to Luft's recent announcement that she is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

A replacement show has been announced: Linda Edwards in "Souvenir," according to a news release from the Playhouse.

Luft was born to legendary entertainer Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft.

"Singer/actor Lorna Luft announced (Monday) that she had recently undergone surgery for breast cancer and is embarking on a regimen of adjuvant chemotherapy," a statement from Luft's management says. "She will resume her concert appearances in mid-August. Ms. Luft added that she is joining an extraordinary group of women who have gone through, are going through and will go through this journey with love, respect and optimism."

Flat Rock Playhouse officials hope to have Luft back for the 2014 season.

"Ms. Luft is a strong woman and we wish her a quick recovery," said Artistic Director Vincent Marini. "I know I speak for the entire staff and board when I say we would be honored to have Ms. Luft here next year. We think Lorna is an extraordinary performer and the team she has assembled to develop this piece is truly inspiring. The Playhouse would be thrilled to play a role in the show's continued development."

Edwards is a local favorite who will retunr in "Souvenir," which last played at the Playhouse in 2007 for a 10-day run. This will be a new production.

"We have decided to move up a show we were planning for next year," said Marini. "Linda Edwards is one of my favorite performers and I think ‘Souvenir' is one of the most entertaining, touching shows I've ever seen. I know our audiences are going to love the show and I can't wait to work with Linda again."

Ticketholders for "Songs My Mother Taught Me" are eligible for a full refund, a ticket exchange for "Souvenir," or a credit to be used for any other Playhouse event in 2013.

"Souvenir" is a play with music by Stephen Temperley that opened on Broadway in 2005 with Judy Kaye, who was nominated for the Tony and the Drama Desk Award for her performance. It is based on a true story. Set in a Greenwich Village supper club in 1964, it flashes back to the musical career of Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy socialite with a famously uncertain sense of pitch and key.

In 1932, she met mediocre pianist Cosme McMoon, and the two teamed up in the hope of achieving success. Over the next dozen years, their bizarre partnership yielded hilariously off-key recitals that became the talk of New York, earned them cultish fame, and culminated in a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall in 1944.

"Souvenir" will run at Flat Rock Mainstage May 8-26. Evening performances will be Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Matinees are at 2 p.m on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. All tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or visiting www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

Discounts are available for seniors, AAA members, military personnel, students and groups. Playhouse Mainstage is located at 2661 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock.

Tickets and schedule

Tryon Estates presents Souvenir at Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage May 8 - 26. Evening performances will be Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm. Matinees are at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. All tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org. Discounts available for seniors, AAA members, military personnel, students and groups. Playhouse Mainstage is located at 2661 Greenville Hwy in Flat Rock, NC.

<p>Flat Rock Playhouse will reschedule "Songs My Mother Taught Me" with Lorna Luft, which was scheduled to play May 8-26 at the Playhouse Mainstage, due to Luft's recent announcement that she is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. </p><p>A replacement show has been announced: Linda Edwards in "Souvenir," according to a news release from the Playhouse. </p><p>Luft was born to legendary entertainer Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft.</p><p>"Singer/actor Lorna Luft announced (Monday) that she had recently undergone surgery for breast cancer and is embarking on a regimen of adjuvant chemotherapy," a statement from Luft's management says. "She will resume her concert appearances in mid-August. Ms. Luft added that she is joining an extraordinary group of women who have gone through, are going through and will go through this journey with love, respect and optimism."</p><p>Flat Rock Playhouse officials hope to have Luft back for the 2014 season.</p><p>"Ms. Luft is a strong woman and we wish her a quick recovery," said Artistic Director Vincent Marini. "I know I speak for the entire staff and board when I say we would be honored to have Ms. Luft here next year. We think Lorna is an extraordinary performer and the team she has assembled to develop this piece is truly inspiring. The Playhouse would be thrilled to play a role in the show's continued development."</p><p>Edwards is a local favorite who will retunr in "Souvenir," which last played at the Playhouse in 2007 for a 10-day run. This will be a new production.</p><p>"We have decided to move up a show we were planning for next year," said Marini. "Linda Edwards is one of my favorite performers and I think 'Souvenir' is one of the most entertaining, touching shows I've ever seen. I know our audiences are going to love the show and I can't wait to work with Linda again."</p><p>Ticketholders for "Songs My Mother Taught Me" are eligible for a full refund, a ticket exchange for "Souvenir," or a credit to be used for any other Playhouse event in 2013.</p><p>"Souvenir" is a play with music by Stephen Temperley that opened on Broadway in 2005 with Judy Kaye, who was nominated for the Tony and the Drama Desk Award for her performance. It is based on a true story. Set in a Greenwich Village supper club in 1964, it flashes back to the musical career of Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy socialite with a famously uncertain sense of pitch and key. </p><p>In 1932, she met mediocre pianist Cosme McMoon, and the two teamed up in the hope of achieving success. Over the next dozen years, their bizarre partnership yielded hilariously off-key recitals that became the talk of New York, earned them cultish fame, and culminated in a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall in 1944. </p><p>"Souvenir" will run at Flat Rock Mainstage May 8-26. Evening performances will be Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Matinees are at 2 p.m on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. All tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or visiting www.flatrockplayhouse.org. </p><p>Discounts are available for seniors, AAA members, military personnel, students and groups. Playhouse Mainstage is located at 2661 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock.</p><h3>Tickets and schedule</h3>
<p>Tryon Estates presents Souvenir at Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage May 8 - 26. Evening performances will be Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm. Matinees are at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. All tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org. Discounts available for seniors, AAA members, military personnel, students and groups. Playhouse Mainstage is located at 2661 Greenville Hwy in Flat Rock, NC.</p>